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The 'remote' form is a term used by some instead of past tense. The reason is that it describes the function of this form of the verb better, as they see it; it allows for distance in time, or the other uses of the past- the unlikely (hence remote) future and politeness (social distance or remoteness).

The 'remote' form is a term used by some instead of past tense. The reason is that it describes the function of this form of the verb better, as they see it; it allows for distance in time, or the other uses of the past- the unlikely (hence remote) future and politeness (social distance or remoteness).

Honestly, I don't know much about this theory. How can we use a tense to tell a distance in time? Can you give examples for illustration?

If it is in the past, then distance is automatic and not so important. If it was before something else, then we use the past perfect, if not the past. In the future, we have the likely and the less likely,which is the distance of probability.

If it is in the past, then distance is automatic and not so important. If it was before something else, then we use the past perfect, if not the past. In the future, we have the likely and the less likely,which is the distance of probability.

Thank you, Tdol. I was looking for examples explaining remoteness.
As you say it is "not so important", I had better forget it. Thank you for your help.

I didn't mean that. What I meant was that events in the past are usually remote because we cannot go back. However, events in the future can seem remote if they are unlikely or closer if they are likley, which would be reflected in the tenses (will- present- for likely, would-past- for remote futures).